Gusmao lashes out at politicians

November 29 2002By Jill Jolliffe Dili

East Timorese President Xanana Gusmao has attacked the country's politicians, condemning the inefficiency and corruption of the Fretilin-dominated government and demanding the resignation of Internal Affairs Minister Rogerio Lobato.

His comments, at a military parade to celebrate the 27th anniversary of East Timor's original and short-lived 1975 independence proclamation, came as the country is experiencing a wave of instability.

He said that although East Timor had won internationally recognised independence in May, "we are more dependent than ever, living from the power and skills of others".

"It is the sickness that affects many parties and newly independent countries - of inefficiency, corruption and political instability, where those who govern live well, and the people live in poverty," he said.");document.write("

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"If independence belongs to all of us, and not just Fretilin, I demand that the government dismisses Minister of Internal Affairs Rogerio Lobato, for reasons of incompetence and neglect."

As President, Mr Gusmao has limited executive powers, although his moral authority is high, while government popularity appears low. He was elected by direct suffrage in April, with 78 per cent of the national vote. The Fretilin government of Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri was elected with a 57 per cent parliamentary majority in August 2001.

Mr Lobato is responsible for police affairs, although the UN still maintains final control over police and defence forces.

Critics accuse him of provoking internal conflicts to enhance his power.

He has challenged police recruitment policies, saying ex-guerrillas should be given priority, and is in conflict with police commissioner Paulo Martins.

Mr Martins served with the Indonesian police force and is accused in some circles of being a collaborator, although his private support for the pro-independence resistance was well known.

The police recruitment has led to resentment of the police by resistance veterans.

A spate of recent attacks on police culminated on Monday with a mob attack on Baucau police station. Police opened fire on the demonstrators, shooting 25-year-old Calisto Soares in the head. He died on Wednesday in the UN hospital in Dili.

Unemployment tensions contributed to the conflict - about 6000 people had applied for the 100 police jobs earmarked for veterans as a concession to Mr Lobato.

The resignation of Bishop Carlos Ximenes Belo on Tuesday has also contributed to the air of instability.

A rival independence celebration was held yesterday by about 3000 demonstrators, including uniformed ex-guerrillas, who had travelled to Dili from the countryside to agitate for the government's dismissal.

Led by the nationalist CPD-RDTL movement of Antonio Aitahan Matak, the rival rally was held at the capital's Democracy Field in central Dili.

Sporting dreadlocks and wrap-around sunglasses, the demonstrators also staged a military parade and raised the flags of Fretilin (of which they claim to be the true representatives) and the newly independent republic.

Mr Matak said in his speech that Bishop Belo's resignation stemmed from the fact that the country was divided, while his deputy Cristiano Costa, a University of New South Wales graduate, told the crowd: "Today is the first day of reforms, and reforms are alway painful."

UN police and military were on high alert in the capital, fearing a clash between government supporters and the dissidents.